The Detroit Red Wings (24-15-4, 52 points) travel to face the Ottawa Senators (20-15-5, 45 points) in an Atlantic Division matchup. Detroit sits third in the division, clinging to a playoff spot amid a recent slide, while Ottawa, fifth in the division, looks to build on early 2026 momentum. This game features Detroit’s balanced scoring against Ottawa’s high-octane offense, but injuries to key Senators players could level the playing field. Ottawa’s historical dominance in the series adds intrigue to this contest.
Venue Location
Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. This 18,500-capacity arena has been the Senators’ home since 1996, known for its passionate fanbase and modern amenities.
Puckdrop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+, with local coverage on Bally Sports Detroit for Red Wings fans and TSN5 for Senators viewers.
Injury Report
Injuries could significantly impact Ottawa’s lineup, while Detroit enters relatively healthy.
Detroit Red Wings: The Red Wings have no major injuries reported as of January 4, 2026. Forward Patrick Kane expressed disappointment over his omission from Team USA’s 2026 Olympic roster but is fully available. The team monitored minor ailments earlier in the week, but all key players, including Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond, are expected to suit up. This health advantage could help Detroit exploit Ottawa’s absences.
Ottawa Senators: Several key players are sidelined or questionable. Goaltender Linus Ullmark is out with an undisclosed injury after leaving practice early, expected to miss at least January 5. Center Lars Eller is on injured reserve (IR) with a projected return around January 7. Forward Shane Pinto is out, with his injury likely derailing his Olympic chances. Defenseman Thomas Chabot is playing through a facial injury (stitches from a puck to the face in a recent game against the Jets) but showed no ill effects in his performance. These absences strain Ottawa’s goaltending and depth, forcing reliance on Anton Forsberg in net and potential line adjustments.
Player Matchups
This divisional tilt highlights battles between offensive leaders and goaltenders, with Ottawa’s injuries potentially shifting advantages to Detroit.
Dylan Larkin (Detroit) vs. Brady Tkachuk (Ottawa): Larkin’s speed and two-way play will clash with Tkachuk’s physicality and net-front presence. Larkin, Detroit’s captain and leading scorer, could exploit gaps if Tkachuk focuses on agitating.
Lucas Raymond (Detroit) vs. Tim Stützle (Ottawa): Raymond’s breakout season features elite playmaking, testing Stützle’s defensive responsibilities. Stützle, Ottawa’s dynamic forward, thrives in transition but may be contained by Raymond’s quickness.
Alex DeBrincat (Detroit) vs. Jake Sanderson (Ottawa): DeBrincat, a former Senator, brings familiarity and scoring touch against Sanderson’s shutdown defense. This matchup could spark revenge narratives, with DeBrincat aiming to snipe from the circles.
Cam Talbot/Ville Husso (Detroit) vs. Anton Forsberg (Ottawa): With Ullmark out, Forsberg steps up for Ottawa, facing Detroit’s tandem. Talbot’s veteran poise could shine in a road environment, while Forsberg’s recent form will be crucial amid Ottawa’s defensive injuries.
These confrontations emphasize Detroit’s depth versus Ottawa’s star power, potentially decided by special teams where Detroit holds a slight edge.
Detroit is 11-9-2 on the road, while Ottawa boasts a 12-6-2 home record.
Recent Team Forms
Both teams enter with mixed results, but Ottawa shows more positive momentum in the new year.
Detroit Red Wings: The Red Wings are 4-5-1 in their last 10 games, including 0-1-1 to start 2026. They recently lost 1-4 at home to the Pittsburgh Penguins on January 3, struggling with secondary scoring and allowing too many high-danger chances. Detroit’s power play has been inconsistent, but their penalty kill ranks top-10 league-wide. Road form sits at .500, and they’ve hit the under in 6 of their last 8 games.
Ottawa Senators: Ottawa is 6-3-1 over their last 10, starting 2026 with a 2-0-0 record, including a strong effort against the Winnipeg Jets on January 4 despite Chabot’s injury. Their offense has clicked, but goaltending injuries loom large. Home games trend toward overs (7 of last 10 exceed the total), and they’ve won 4 of their last 5 at Canadian Tire Centre.
Series History
The all-time series is close, with Detroit holding a 35-30-1-3 edge over 69 games. However, Ottawa has dominated recently, going 8-1-1 in the last 10 meetings and 15-2-2 since 2019-20. The Senators won both games last season, outscoring Detroit 11-5. Games often feature high totals, with overs hitting in 6 of the last 10, though recent tilts have been decided by two goals or fewer.
Betting Trends
Detroit Red Wings Trends: 22-19-2 ATS overall, with a 19-22-2 O/U record. They’ve failed to cover in 4 of their last 6 road games and are 2-4 SU in their last 6 overall. Detroit games trend under against Atlantic foes (60% under the total), but overs have hit in 5 of their last 7 vs. Ottawa.
Ottawa Senators Trends: 21-18-1 ATS, with overs in 22 of 40 games. They’re 7-3 SU in their last 10 home games but 3-7 ATS when favored by -150 or more. Ottawa has covered in 8 of their last 10 vs. Detroit, and home unders hit in 5 of their last 8 amid injuries.
Game Odds
Detroit Red Wings 6.5
Ottawa Senators – 155
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, January 4, 2026
